The Cuckoo Line Affair

by Andrew Garve

When Edward Latimer is accused by a pretty girl of assaulting her in a train, and two unimpeachable witnesses say they saw him do it, he's in deep water. This is only the beginning of his troubles, for a few days later the girl's dead body is found in the lonely nearby saltings and all the evidence points to Edward as her killer. It takes all the intelligence of his sons, Quentin and Hugh, and the wit of Hugh's fianc�e, Cynthia, to produce an alternative theory about the murder-and an alternative suspect. With persistence and unshakeable faith they unravel the plot and in a dramatic reconstruction demonstrate the incredible truth.

Genres: Mystery

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

AKA: Paul Somers, Roger Bax

Andrew Garve was the pen name of Paul Winterton (1908-2001). He was born in Leicester and educated at the Hulme Grammar School, Manchester and Purley County School, Surrey, after which he took a degree in Economics at London University. He was on the staff of The Economist for four years, and then worked for fourteen years for the London News Chronicle as reporter, leader writer and foreign correspondent. He was assigned to Moscow from 1942 to 1945, where he was also the correspondent of the BBC’s Overseas Service.

After the war he turned to full-time writing of detective and adventure novels and produced more than forty-five books. His work was serialized, televised, broadcast, filmed and translated into some twenty languages. He was noted for his varied and unusual backgrounds – including Russia, newspaper offices, the West Indies, ocean sailing, the Australian outback, politics, mountaineering and forestry – and for never repeating a plot.

Andrew Garve was a founding member and first joint secretary of the Crime Writers’ Association.

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, with an interesting presmise which is actually deceptively seedy. The people, especially the engaged couple solving the case together are a bit too quaint and wholesome. Characters kept saying "it's the only possible explanation!" when of course, I could think of several others. Of course, they solve everything and convince the police by staging re-enactment in which they actually assault the DA. Instead of getting arrested, they win everyone over with their charm. Scooby-Doo quality was forgiveable in the service of a good plot.

[Arthur Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been many years since I've read Andrew Garve and, starting this one, I immediately recalled why I liked his books. He is leisurely in his approach to the incident that will set the tone for the rest of the book, and drops no hint as to what that incident will be. The characters may not be exceedingly well developed, but they are believable and the protagonists are likable. The only serious fault I found with the book, and this is a refection on me, not the story, is a great deal depends on the technical issues of tides. (The author himself makes a joke about the confusedness about such things.) Now that I have "found" Andrew Garve again, I will make it a point of reading him regularly.

[Ant Koplowitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cuckoo Line Affair by Andrew Garve is another of his relatively quick reads - less of the thriller elements and more of the old school mystery puzzle. Edward Latimer is wrongly accused of the assault and then murder of a stranger on a train. The circumstantial evidence against him is compelling, and even his close-knit family question whether this man was capable of cold-bloodied murder. The story is told in flashback accounts as his sons try to unravel the mystery and track down the real killer.

I’m an obsessive when it comes to reading and literary criticism, and I like the precise style Garve uses to drive what is a relatively slight short story. His usual talents for complex plots and a good puzzle are definitely on show here, but overall the characterised is pretty weak and suitably shallow. Although set in the 1950s, it must have felt pretty dated by the time it was published.

Not as satisfying as most of his other books, but still recommended.

© Koplowitz 2016

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good re-read for me. I had read it many years ago and remembered it fondly.
Andrew Garve was one of Agatha Christie's favorite authors and this book was written around
1953. It takes place in the country and involves a man of impeccable character who may or may not
have been "up to no good" on the local train, The Cuckoo Line. Recommended for those who enjoy
an oldie but goody puzzle and for those readers who are looking for an Agatha Christie type of book.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindly old Edward Latimer is accused of assaulting a girl on a train. She then withdraws her accusation, but it's too late - his reputation is ruined. Then the girl ends up dead. His sons are determined to clear his name.

I liked this story, but it was a bit dated. Not the plot, just the characterization seemed awfully old-fashioned.

[Saya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. A geunuine Andrew Garve story. Enjoyable.

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: Edward Latimer is falsely accused of assault by a mysterious young woman. When she dies, his sons set out to find the real murderer.